During a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., former President Trump took a personal swipe at Vice President Harris, diverging from his Republican allies’ advice to focus on policy differences with his opponent.
“I’m far better looking than her,” Trump declared to the crowd. “I’m a better-looking person than Kamala.” He made this remark in reference to a recent Time Magazine cover featuring a stylized illustration of Harris. “They didn’t even use a photo,” he added. “They had to hire an artist because none of the pictures worked out.”
Former President Trump attacks Harris and Democrats, questioning her presence as his opponent and criticizing her economic plan
Trump’s comments were part of a broader attack on Harris and her Democratic allies. “What happened to Biden? I was running against Biden, now I’m up against Harris,” Trump said, adding, “Who the hell is Harris?”
In response, the Harris campaign dismissed Trump’s remarks as predictable. “Donald Trump can’t defend his dangerous Project 2025 agenda, which includes raising taxes on working families, ending the Affordable Care Act, and stripping away freedoms,” said Joseph Costello, a campaign spokesperson. “So, he resorts to lies, name-calling, and incoherent rants.”
Trump also targeted Pennsylvania Democrats like Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. Bob Casey, criticizing Shapiro’s selection as Harris’s running mate based on his Jewish background. He continued his attacks against Jewish voters who support Democrats.
The former president also voiced his discontent with various news networks, including ABC News, which is hosting the upcoming presidential debate. Despite calls from Republicans like former adviser Kellyanne Conway to focus on policy and reduce personal insults, Trump included policy discussions in his speech, addressing immigration, crime, and foreign policy.
Trump lambasted Harris’s recently uncovered economic plan, labeling it “the Maduro plan” and likening it to Soviet-era socialist controls. He even invited a Venezuelan supporter on stage to discuss former President Hugo Chavez.
Trump criticized Harris’s stance on fracking, a key issue for Pennsylvania voters. “She wants to ban fracking,” Trump said. “Pennsylvania needs fracking for energy and jobs.”
With Pennsylvania’s 19 Electoral College votes critical for the November election, Trump’s narrow victory in 2016 and subsequent loss to Biden in 2020 highlight the state’s importance. Current averages show Harris leading Trump by 0.8 percentage points.
